Upcoming Events | April 2016 Part 1

April is here and it’s time to have some fun! Got a good April Fools’ Day prank to play? The San Fernando Valley has all kinds of fun things to do as it is bursting at the seams with fragrant flowers, spring activities and a whole lot of fun!

Fri April 1st

Need some fun ideas for April Fools’ Day! Check out DealNewsfor some inexpensive but effective pranks!Burbank – Time to dance the night away. Check out this fun Salsa Dancing Class at Olivia Restaurant in Burbank. Class costs run between $8 and $15.LA Griffith Park – Old Zoo – Join the Great Horror Campout as they screen Stephen King’s classic, The Shining! Can you think of a better venue to experience this one? Tickets are $15.Hollywood – Throughout the entire month of April, enjoy the Heart of Hollywood Tour.Have you lived here all your life, but never really spent time learning about our Hollywood History? This tour takes you into nooks and crannies of all things “Showbiz”!Westwood/UCLA – Friday the 1st kicks off the Jerry Bruckheimer Film Festival. This month long festival celebrates the classic films that made Jerry Bruckheimer one of the world’s top film makers. The event is hosted by the UCLA Film & Television Archive in conjunction with Paramount Pictures and will be shown at the Billy Wilder Theatre. Admission is free with a $3 (cash only) parking charge.

Sat April 2nd

Arcadia – Check out the Sport of Kings and fill your tummy at the same time. Santa Anita will be hosting the 5th Annual Winners Circle BBQ. Help choose ‘the People’s Champion’ of BBQ, bouncers and pony rides for the kids, all while Thoroughbreds run their hearts out.Northridge – Kick off the start of the Baseball season by heading to the Northridge Public Library for the performance of “The Little Professor” (aka “You Get it, Dom”) – a story about Joe & Dom DiMaggio.Pasadena – The Pasadena Rose Bowl will be hosting the Autism Speaks Los Angeles Walk. This 5K walk will be a fun filled and informative day. Enjoy live music, games and activities at the open air resource fair…and most importantly learn what you can do to help end Autism.Sherman Oaks/Multiple LA locations – Enjoy the Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour. This outreach event created by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants is a 2 day event that allows Angelenos to take a self-driven tour of 41 private and public gardens that feature native and gorgeous Spring blooms. There is a tour fee, but it is going to a great cause: preserving indigenous and native SoCal vegetation and wildlife.

Sun April 3rd

Griffith Park – Calling all Artists! Check out this panel discussion and demonstration by noted still life artists as they share their tips and experiences on making still life…come to life at the Autry Museum of the American West.Montrose – There’s music, food, and booze to spare at this year’s Montrose Brew Fest. For all of you home brewers, check out their Home brew competition. And, even better, this year the Montrose Brew Fest will be supporting the Glendale Fire fighter and Police officer associations. Drink responsibly please.Pasadena – The Rose Bowl is a sea of activity this April Fools weekend! Hit the ground running at the Masters of Taste food expo and fair. Enjoy unlimited tastings from some of Los Angeles’ best restaurants, breweries and pubs. Reseda – Spend some time with the kiddos catching a family friendly flick! “The Good Dinosaur” will be playing at the West Valley Library.Venice – Immerse yourself in sea of trend at the Westside expansion of the Artisan Flea Market. This hip market conducts business on the first and fourth Saturdays of each month. Take the family out to see some of LA’s most creative artisans as they delight with clothing, jewelry and one-of-a-kind artwork. Saturday March 26 2016 – Saturday April 23 2016

Fri April 8th

Northridge – Get schooled in the art of theatre at Cal State Northridge for WTF? – Weird Theatre Festival. Playwrights have embraced the unique with out of the box story telling… or as they say, “We make the art. You make the sense.”Pasadena – You worked hard all week, Ladies…it is time to have some fun. Join KKLA for their Women’s Night Out! A night filled with food, shopping and pampering. Head out to the Church of the Nazarene. Admission is $5.

Sat April 9th

Burbank – come support local schools! Walt Disney Elementary will be holding their annual carnival. There should be something for everyone. And bonus: any proceeds from the silent auction and carnival will benefit the school and PTA. Exposition Park – One of my favorite times of the year! Surround yourself with literary greatness during USC’s Festival of Books. Listen to interesting talks from authors, enjoy the music and food…. there’s something fun for everyone. Hollywood – Come to Hollywood to celebrate LA Beer Fest! Featuring over 200 beers, food trucks, live music and even a dueling piano bar; the festival is sure to be a great time. Tickets can only be purchased ahead of time and are $45. Proceeds go to benefit Noah’s B-ark, a dog rescue association that seeks to find permanent homes for abandoned dogs.Reseda – Head to the West Valley Library and check out an insightful documentary about being messed up in the head. “Concussion” is a pic about the damaging effects of concussions on football players.Santa Monica – The Creating Arts Studio presents a live performance of the classic tale of Mulan. In this original adaptation from the Chinese poem, “Ballad of Mulan”, follow the story of Mulan as she seeks to gain honor back to her family. This one hour mini-musical is an interactive theatrical experience for the entire family! Runs 3/19 through 4/16/16.Sherman Oaks – Find your pulse on healthy at the Wellness Health Expo at the Westfield Fashion Square. Tests, fitness classes, and a 3K walk are all in the cards to keep people happy and healthy.Irwindale – Hear-ye, hear-ye…calling all Knights and Ladies of Court: The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire has arrived. This Elizabethen Extravaganza has been delighting Southern Californians for 54 years. Get medieval as you walk through rows of vendors, entertainers and classically dressed patrons. The festival runs through May 23rd. DWTN – Check out Artisanal LA! This seasonal week-long event is a celebration of all things American-made, handmade, small batch and rustic styles of crafting arts. Enjoy good food, drinks and a live DJ as you peruse what local artisans have to offer.

Sun April 10th

Hollywood – Shopup by Babyccino is a live event featuring more than 30 shops all in one place! This two day event (Sun & Mon) will feature one-of-a-kind boutiques filled with specialty children’s clothing. Enjoy food, drinks and music as you shop. Admission is free, but it is a good idea to RSVP. Partial proceeds go to their official charity partner, mothers2mothers. This international nonprofit is dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

If you’d like more information on the San Fernando Valley or Los Angeles, or to have help looking for your next home, please feel free to reach out! I’m happy to help, no obligation.